Other Newcomers Joining the Class of 2028 Rankings

Last post we listed the new pin hitters added to the class of 2028 rankings. We missed one. She is included in these rankings below. That leaves 10 pin hitters, four middles, four setters and just one libero added to our 2028 rankings. That does not include a number of watch list players who were also added. For this list below six of the ten players suit up for either the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] first or second team.   22. [player_tooltip player_id='744453' first='Megan' last='Elder'] middle (Poolesville/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - At 6'1" she has length. She also brings an approach jump over 10 feet. Her block jump reaches 9'7". Paramount won at Volley by the James with Megan contributing to the success. Her swing as well as timing for quick tempo sets makes her well suited for the middle. Montgomery County voted her to the second team for her play at Poolesville, a big accomplishment for a frosh.   23. [player_tooltip player_id='744456' first='Savannah' last='Parker'] right side (Hedgesville/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - Savannah should have been included with the pin hitters. She played right side for Paramount. Last year she played for a [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] team that finished third at AAUs in the Premier Division. She also lists at 6'1" but lacks the quality jump of Megan above (9'5"). This past high school season Savannah played for Hedgesville in West Virginia. While her playing time was limited, she did provide the depth to help Hedgesville win the West Virginia State championship. Savannah contributed enough kills to finish seventh on the team.    For high school last year, she set a 5/1. For Paramount she shares the setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='722900' first='Amanda' last='Dadio'] who also appears on the list below. They finished second in the Volley by the James tournament to their first team.   As a frosh, Iris led her high school in assists and aces. This earned her a spot on the first team in the National District. Her accomplishments also earned her a spot in my dazzling dozen for 2028.   This ranking puts her at number four for the setters in the class of 2028.     What first impressed me about Mandela when I first came across her at the Prep Dig Expo was her height (6'3"). As I watched her perform I also came away impressed with her skills. She plays for Archbishop Carroll, a school not noted for producing top volleyball talent, although she did earn honorable mention in the WCAC. Her play at the Prep Dig expo earned her a top performer award.   For club she plays for Virginia Juniors where the opportunity exists to show off her skills. Her inexperience in the middle gets exposed when she plays teams who run a fast paced offense. She finds herself late to the pins. Once she learns how to read the setter her blocking should improve.   Mandella is an intelligent player who should pick up the game quickly.    34. [player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney'] libero/ds (Potomac/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - The only libero added to the class of 2028. When you watch her play you have to like her attitude on the court. That back row is hers. She played for Potomac, which put together an incredible season. They beat Flint Hill during the regular season, then took them to five in the semi-finals in the VISAA state championship. They also took Georgetown Day to five in the ISL conference playoffs. Lily played libero for them, finishing second in digs and service aces playing as a frosh. With her attitude she will only get better.   45. [player_tooltip player_id='697424' first='Ellie' last='Silberfeld'] setter (Walter Johnson/MVSA) - Ellie shared the setting duties with her older sister [player_tooltip player_id='478768' first='Sofia' last='Silberfeld'] at Walter Johnson. Sofia reached 1,000 assists while setting four years for the school. Ellie hopes to achieve the same success. The advantage Ellie has is she can turn to Sofia as a mentor, someone who has gone through the experience. During her first season at Walter Johnson she finished second in assists to her sister while also tying her for second in service aces. Ellie plays club at MVSA.    Hannah plays a year down on the Metro 14 team. She impressed at the MAPL tournament shoring up one of the middle spots. Currently her blocking skills outperform her hitting skills. She still needs a little more work with that arm swing. That will come with time, coaching and repetition.   Hannah brings an approach jump of 9'5". For high school she made the roster of the varsity for Quince Orchard. Definitely a player on the rise.     Amanda works hard at her craft. It is not unusual to see her on the court 30 minutes before practice starts working with a coach on improving a specific skill. Currently she shares setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='630678' first='Iris' last='Jin'] on the Paramount second team.   The challenge for her is rising to the varsity level with Paul VI to take on a setters role. Last year the Panthers carried three setters on their varsity roster. One of them graduates after the 2025 season ends.   She shows quickness on the court. Her biggest skill to work on is the consistency with her location. She also needs to work on the quick tempo sets.     I first became aware of her when she set for [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] at the Junior Nationals in Las Vegas. At that time she just missed making the rankings. At the MAPL her setting appeared more consistent. She also took on floor captain responsibilities showing an aptitude for leadership skills.   August plays high school for Ocean Lakes, a team that does not carry a junior varsity or frosh roster. Her opportunity to set for Ocean Lakes will have to wait one more year until [player_tooltip player_id='664960' first='Carmela' last='Mendoza'] graduates. Another year of experience at East Coast should enhance her setting capabilities to prepare her for when that time arrives.    76. [player_tooltip player_id='746620' first='Sahana' last='Cushman'] middle (Meridian/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) -Sahana plays for Paramount 14 Cozad. She put up some good blocks in the middle. While she plays one year down with Paramount she did make the roster as the lone frosh for Meridian. Her 6'1" height makes her ideal for the middle but right side can also be an option.   O'Connell Honors Team with Rings at Half Time of Sold Out Basketball Game   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/share_image_1739058666064.png?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-749423" style="width:260px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Bishop O'Connell</figcaption></figure>   The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) is noted for their basketball. A recent national top 25 poll from Sports Illustrated ranked Paul VI at number three while Bishop O'Connell was on the bubble. The two went at it in front of a sold out gym. While Paul VI won the game the O'Connell volleyball team was celebrated with a ring ceremony during halftime for winning the WCAC as well as the VISAA state championship, the first time in school history they captured both.

Last post we listed the new pin hitters added to the class of 2028 rankings. We missed one. She is included in these rankings below. That leaves 10 pin hitters, four middles, four setters and just one libero added to our 2028 rankings. That does not include a number of watch list players who were also added. For this list below six of the ten players suit up for either the Paramount first or second team.